Ice-cleaner for trolley-wires.



3 N0. 7l0,5l6. Patented'flct. 7, I902.

F. N. ROOT.

ICE CLEANER FOR TBOLLEY WIRES.

(Application filed. 32111.28, 1902.) (No Model.) 2 Sh ee't-s-4S -het,-|.

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ICE CLEANER FDRTRDIL L'EY WIRES.

(Apglimtion filed Jan. 23,1902.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED N. ROOT, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

ICE-CLEAN ER FOR TROLLEY-WIRES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart Of Letters Patent NO. 710,516, dated October '7, 1902.

Application filed January 23, 1902. Serial No- 90,861. (No model.)

T 0 all whom, it may concerni Be it known that I, FRED N. ROOT, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ice-Cleaners for Trolleyires, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improved icecleaners for trolley-wires.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improved ice-cleaner for trolleywires which is simple in its operation and structure and which is automatically adjusted to the varying conditions of sleet or ice to be removed from the trolley-wire; second, to provide an improved ice-cleaner for trolley-wires which may be quickly and easily placed upon the trolley-pole or removed therefrom and is one which may be quickly thrown out of operation should occasion require, as in passing a switch or the like; third, to provide an improved ice-cleaner for trolley-wires which readily frees itself from anyaccumulation of ice or sleet.

Further objects will definitely appear in the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a side elevation view of astructure embodying the features of my invention, adjustment of the same being indicated by the dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure appearing in Fig. 1, the automatic adjustment of the same being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of a modification of my improved ice-cleaner for trolley-wires. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail cross-sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3, the automatic adjustment of the parts being indicated by dotted lines.

In the drawings all of the sectional view is taken looking in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section-lines, and similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A represents the trolley-pole, and A the trolley-harp, these parts being of the usual construction, except as hereinafter pointed out. B 13 represent a frame formed with side pieces adapted to support the usual trolleywheel B and my ice or sleet removing device. This frame is supported by the trolley-harp in the same position that-the trolley-wheel is usually supported on the pin or axle a and is adapted to rock thereon. Supported on the forward end of this rocking frame is a fluted roller D, which is adapted to roll along the under side of the trolley-wire.

Supported on the springs O C, which are socured to either side of the frame B by the vertical pins or axles c, which are secured to the free ends of the springs O, are fluted rollers C C. These rollers are adapted to press against the sides of the trolley-wire and are held in yieldingcontact therewith by the said springs.

The roller D is held in yielding contact with the trolley-wire by the spring F, which is secured by clips F F to the side of the harp and engages suitable projections F on the rocking frame B. A cord or rope G is secured to the forward part of the frame B and passes over the pulley G, carried by the harp, to a point where the motorman may reach the same, so that, should it be desirable, the icecutting apparatus may be drawn down to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1 and thrown out of use, and when released the same is thrown into operative position by the spring F. When desirable, the same may be fastened down by means of the rope G and the trolley-wheel used in the same manner as if directly supported by the harp.

In the modified structure shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 instead of the side rollers being carried by vertical axles I provide an axle or spindle I, on which are the central guidingsupport H and the flange-like fluted rollers H H, which engage the sides of the trolley-wire. These rollers are free to mbve back and forth upon the guiding-support H and are held normally inward by the springs G pressing upon hub-like projections on their outer ends.

It will be noted that these flanges are held normally against the trolley-wire by the springs O O and that they are free to move outwardly to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5, which allows any accumulation of ice to escape therefrom or allows the same to adjust themselves to varying thicknesses of ice on the wire.

In operation the fluted roller D rolls along on the under side of the wire, while the fluted rollers C O engage the wire upon either side. These rollers, being held in contact with the wire by spring-pressure, readily free themselves from any accumulation of ice, and roller D, being held upwardly by the springpressure, is free to act in the same manner, all of the parts being automatically adjusted to the varying conditions under which the device may be operated.

I have illustrated and described my improved trolley-wire cleaner in the form which I believe to be the most practical. I am aware, however, that it is capable of other modifications than that illustrated in Figs. 3, I, and 5 without departing from my invention. The modification illustrated is, however, one which I believe to very practical, although the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is preferred by me.

Having thus described my invention, that which I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a trolley-wire cleaner, the combination of a trolley-pole, A; a harp A; a frame B pivotally supported in said harp; a trolleywheel B supported on asuitable axle toward the rear of such frame; a fluted rollerD, supported on a suitable axle toward the forward end of said frame-springs C, O secured to said frame; fluted side rollers O 0 supported on vertical axles 0 carried by said springs; a spring F carried by the said harp and adapted to engage and hold said frame normally upward; and a cord G passing over a pulley G carried by the said harp, to the operator, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

2. In a trolley-wire cleaner, the combination of a trolley-pole A; a harp, A; a frame B pivotally supported in said harp; a trolleywheel B supported on a suitable axle toward the rear of such frame; a fluted roller D, supported on a suitable axle toward the forward end of said frame; springs O, C, secured to said frame; fluted side rollers C C, supported on vertical axles 0 carried by said springs; a spring F carried by said harp and adapted to engage and hold said frame normally upward, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

3. In a trolley-wire cleaner, the combination of a trolley-pole; a frame pivotally supported thereon; a trolley-wheel supported on a suitable axle toward the rear of said frame; a fluted roller supported on a suitable axle toward the forward end of said frame, adapted to engage the under side of a trolley-wire; fluted side rollers supported on suitable vertical axles adapted to engage the sides of a trolley-wire; springs for holding said lastnamed rollers normally inward; means for holding the forward end of said frame normally upward; and means for controlling the same, for the purpose specified.

4. In a trolley-wire cleaner, the combination of a trolley-pole; a frame pivotally supported thereon; a trolley-wheel supported on a suitable axle toward the rear of said frame; a fluted roller supported on a suitable axle toward the forward end of said frame adapt ed to engage the under side of a trolley-wire; fluted side rollers supported on suitable Vertical axles adapted to engage the sides of a trolley-wire; springs for holding said lastnamed rollers normally inward; means for holding the forward end of said frame normally upward, for the purpose specified.

5. In a trolley-wire cleaner, the combination of a pole; a frame pivotally supported thereon; a trolley-wheel suitably supported toward the rear of said frame; a fluted roller suitably supported toward the forward end of said frame adapted to engage the lower side of a trolley-wire, and left in yielding contact therewith; fluted rollers suitably supported by said frame adapted to engage the sides of a trolley-wire and held in yielding contact therewith, forthe purpose specified.

6. In a trolleywire cleaner, the combination of a pole; a frame pivotally supported thereon; a trolley-wheel suitably supported toward the rear of said frame; fluted rollers suitably supported by said frame adapted to engage the sides of a trolley-wire and held in yielding contact therewith; for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

FRED N. ROOT. it. s.]

Witnesses:

OTIS A. EARL, D. E. W001). 

